Sunday, December 14, 2008

Thank You!


A *Huge Handmade Holiday Thanks* to our participating crafters and designers, the folks at the Visual Art Center of Richmond for providing such a wonderful venue & for putting on a great party on Friday, our super awesome volunteers, the members of the Richmond Craft Mafia for all your hard work - and, of course, everyone who came out to show their support for our local craft scene here in Richmond.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Snapshots of Handmade Hoiday

































Today is *the* Day!

Come out and support indie craft in Richmond today at Handmade Holiday from 10 to 5 at the Visual Art Center of Richmond!

Buy Handmade, Buy Local!

Crafter Interview with Nicole Lee



Nicole Lee of Nicole Lee Designs
www.nicoleleedesigns.com

Bio : I am a single, crafty chick with a feisty little dog.

How long have you been a designer?

I've been a designer/pattern maker for over 10 years.


Describe your business and work.

Nicole Lee designs features clothing made from natural fabrics and fashion accessories. The collection consists of mostly one/few of a kind designs inspired by classic shapes but with a twist of eclectic, fresh style. I am currently working towards incorporating more sustainable fabrics in my line.

How did you get started with your craft?
I had a little kiddie sewing machine and was making clothes for my dolls when I was 6 and always had been crafty. But I didn't get started in earnest until I went for a A.S in Fashion Design from LA Trade Technical College, Los Angeles, CA and a B.S. in Fashion Design from Radford University.

Do you have a new featured item?

Pouches!
Multipurpose and a great size to hold Ipods, makeup, camera, or use as a snazzy wallet.


Where do you work? I work in my studio which is the spare bedroom of the house.

Your favorite place to eat in Richmond?
Cafe Gutenberg, Zuppa

Your favorite place in Richmond?
Home

Did you grow up in Richmond or go to school here? If not, what brought you to Richmond?
I was born here (I'm a military brat) but I grew up in Los Angeles. I came back to VA to go to Radford U and my first job out of college brought me here to Richmond.

Got a pet?

I have a lovable Yorkie who is a total character!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Designer Interview - Adrien Hamilton



Adrien Hamilton and Kate Poroszok of Keen Designs

www.keen-designs.net



Your Bio:
We are friends and Keen Designs is our collaboration. We started making jewelry together one year to give away as holiday gifts and eventually started a small business. I have a BFA from the craft department at VCU and Kate is just naturally crafty.

How long have you been a crafter or designer?
Keen has existed for about four years but I think we've both been creating/designing for most of our lives in one way or another.


Describe your business and work.
We make the jewelry we want to wear. Our designs are pretty and delicate but with weird little surprises- tiny spikes, wee skulls, that kind of thing. We like using tiny semi-precious stones, sterling silver, and a variety of pearls, charms and branch coral.


How did you get started with your craft?
Both my parents are artists and I grew up in a very creative environment so we were always making, creating, drawing, designing something. Kate's mom is a knitter/felter/beader/quilter and clearly it rubbed off on her. She's much craftier than I am - I only do jewelry but she can knit and sew and had a great eye for color. I can't even wrap a gift without making it look like my cat did it.


Do you have a particular item you want featured? Why this item?
We make a variety of tiny earrings that I fear get overlooked. They are small (and inexpensive!) but really pop because our stones are good quality. It's the perfect balance for a holiday outfit when you don't want to be too blingy, but also don't want to be boring with the pearl studs or whatever.



Where do you make your work?




Describe your work space.
It's my couch. I make jewelry with a tray in my lap while my cats fight for space. I believe Kate fights the same battle on her couch with her dogs. We love our television, what can I say.


Your favorite place to eat in Richmond?
We both like to go to Can Can but really, the best place to eat is at home. We both cook quite a bit.


Your favorite place in Richmond?
For me I really love Carytown. I grew up two blocks from there and it's a really fun way to shop local.

Did you grow up in Richmond or go to school here? If not what brought
you to Richmond?
I grew up in Richmond and went to VCU. Kate came to Richmond to attend college at UR and stayed. Now most of her immediate family lives here too.

Got a pet?
Between us we have five pets. Kate has two dogs and I have three cats.




Anything else you want to share with the world?
Shop local! Shop handmade!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Psst, Here's an Insider Tip from the Mafia


Psst, since you are a friend of the Richmond Craft Mafia, we wanted to let you in on an insider tip:
You can get Tickets to the Handmade Holiday Preview Party on
Friday, December 12th from 7 - 10 pm for a steal of a price!


Instead of the advertised price ($20 in advance) - we pulled some strings and our friends are getting a break. To redeem your discount on the Friday Preview Party - The Boss says you have to give them a call at (804) 353-0094. Use the promo code "ROSEBUD" to get the discounted price of $10 in advance for the Preview Party Tickets! If you wait until the last minute, then entrance to the Preview Party will be $15 at the door.

Inside you will find wine, cheese, appetizers, music and most importantly:
FIRST DIBS on the handmade goods. Tickets Sales for the Preview Party benefit the Visual Art Center of Richmond :)

Free Wrapping Table @ The Preview Party! Courtesy of YAS!


If you come to the Handmade Holiday Preview Party on Friday night, you're in for yet another treat! Not only will you get to enjoy wine, beer, snacks and live music, but we're gonna go ahead and wrap your presents FOR YOU!

The Young Artist Society of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond (A group of talented high school artists) will be on hand in the space with pretty Brown Craft paper and ribbons to wrap up your newly purchased gifts! For free!

Of course, if you wanted to drop $1 into their donation box to fund their YAS pizza party, I'm sure they wouldn't mind... ;)

See you Friday night at 7pm!